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Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur talks with Trent Richardson about his criticism of game plan after loss to Redskins

Browns running back Trent Richardson runs in for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the first half of Sunday's loss at Browns Stadium. The Browns fell, 38-21, and afteward, Richardson criticized the Browns for going away from their game plan.
(Photo by Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

Richardson said the Browns abandoned their game plan, specifically the run, and lost the game because of it.

“I explained to him that after a game, he will be asked questions,” Shurmur said. “I asked him what he meant by what he said. I said it’s very important that when we’re all in a state of being disappointed that we lost that we keep our focus on, No. 1, regrouping and getting ready to play the next game.”

Richardson ran the ball only twice in the second half for zero yards, and totaled 28 on his 11 carries for a 2.5-yard average. He also rushed for two TDs. After the game, Richardson said it was “shocking” that he ran only twice in the second half, and indicated the coaches cost the Browns the game.

He explained that “the game plan early, we were going to do a lot of inside zone game planning. And we were going to just go off a couple of the draws, and we were just going to do some play-action stuff. And when we did do it, it worked. So we got away from it, and the outcome comes as an L.”

Richardson gained 24 on his first four carries, and only four in his final seven.

“After the first four runs, I thought it was going to be a good day for the run game,” said Richardson. “Like I said, we went the other way, and that’s something I can’t control.”

Shurmur explained his philosophy on the run game.

“They were doing a pretty good job of defending the run on first down, so we tried to throw the football on first down,” Shur mur said. “Now when you don’t have success throwing the ball on first down, then you get a little bit behind. And then part of the problem is we only had [53] plays on offense, which it doesn’t allow you to do all the things you want to do when you have that few plays.”

He disagreed with the notion that Richardson is dancing too much on his runs.

“I wouldn’t define his running style yet,” said Shurmur. “He’s pretty new in the league and he’s learning how to play running back in this league. He’s a rookie grinding through an NFL season. He’s far less than 100 percent [healthy]. We handed him the ball twice yesterday and he scored touchdowns. He’s getting in the end zone. He’s one of our leading receivers, and he’s got a lot on his plate and he’s battling.

“Now would I agree that yards per rush should be better? Yeah, but I’m not disappointed. And I think as time goes on, I think you’ll see him develop a running style, whatever it might be. I think there are times when just like a quarterback can have a bad decision or somebody can miss an assignment, I think there are some runs that could be better. But I just think that’s part of playing the game.”

Patterson waived: The Browns on Monday waived sixth-year cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who signed a lucrative free agent contract in the off-season.

Patterson, who started just four games this season and missed seven others with a high ankle sprain, signed a three-year deal in March worth $16 million — including $6 million guaranteed.

That means he received almost $1 million for each of his seven games this season.

Signs of a disconnect became evident two weeks ago before the Oakland game, when Patterson said he was healthy enough to play but was kept home from the trip.

He missed the previous seven games after suffering the sprained ankle in New York on Oct. 7. Sunday against the Redskins, he played 35 plays, or 47 percent of the snaps, and made two tackles. Overall, he made 28 tackles this season and broke up five passes.

Last season, starting at nickel back, he played in 14 games and about half the snaps. He made 26 tackles and broke up a career-high 12 passes for third on the team. It surpassed his previous high of eight with Philadelphia the year before.

The week before the Pittsburgh game Nov. 25, Patterson made it clear he wouldn’t play until he was ready.

“Everybody’s [under] independent contracts and you all have to put good stuff on film at the end of the day,” he said. “No one’s going to step in for me and say, ‘I forgot he had an ankle.’ No, they’re going to be, ‘He just got beat for three touchdowns.’ That’s the reality of the situation.”

Heading into the season, Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said Patterson would challenge for a starting cornerback job.

No Ward or Rucker news: Shurmur had no updates on T.J. Ward’s knee injury or Frostee Rucker’s groin injury. “We’re still evaluating [them],” he said.

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